Hochwasserrückhaltebecken Aichstrut, reservoir

The Hochwasserrückhaltebecken Aichstrut is a 4-hectare reservoir on the Lein about 3 km north of Welzheim, in the Schwäbisch-Fränkischer Wald nature park at 498 m above sea level. Its 11 m high dam can raise the water to 20.5 hectares and hold 715,000 m³, drawn from a 5.8 km² catchment. Marked swimmer and non-swimmer zones, barbecue spots and lawns around three quarters of the shore serve bathers.

The reservoir was created in 1959 by the Wasserverband Kocher-Lein, founded in 1957 after repeated flooding from snowmelt and heavy rain along the Lein. It is one of eleven retention basins the association still operates today.

The lake is fed by the Lein and belongs to the Wasserverband Kocher-Lein, founded in 1957 after repeated snowmelt and heavy-rain floods; the association still runs eleven storage and retention basins. On weekends the DLRG supervises the marked swimmer and non-swimmer zones. Because of these basins the area is nicknamed the Swabian Lake District.

The lake is easily reached by car via the B29, with ample parking nearby, most of which is paid. The flat paved path around the basin suits walking, cycling, and wheelchair users, while free admission makes the destination accessible to all.

The reservoir is one of eleven storage and retention basins operated by the Wasserverband Kocher-Lein, founded in 1957 after repeated flooding along the Lein. Its 11-metre dam can raise the water surface from about 4 hectares to 20.5 hectares, holding up to 715,000 cubic metres.